Structure and Method for Capturing and Converting Wind Energy At Sea

ABSTRACT

A system for capturing and converting and/or storing wind energy includes a vessel adapted to receive at least one wind machine for capturing wind and a device for converting wind energy to storable energy. A method of adapting a vessel, such as a surplus cargo ship or an oil tanker, for use as a offshore power generating system comprises equipping a vessel with devices for capturing a renewable energy source, positioning the vessel at sea to capture the renewable energy source, converting the renewable energy to a storable energy source, and storing the converted energy, and repositioning the vessel to capture further renewable energy or transport the stored, converted energy.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wind-generated power system. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a vessel having windtowers or turbines to receive wind and generate electricity which isthen converted and stored as hydrogen available for on-board use andtransport by the vessel for use elsewhere.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wind is a renewable energy source. Turbines or towers which use thekinetic energy of wind to generate mechanical energy, and convert themechanical energy to electricity are known. Wind towers or turbinestypically have two or three blades which may face into or away from thewind. As the wind causes the blades to rotate, the shaft in the turbinespins. The mechanical energy generated may be used to power certaintasks, like pumping water, or may be converted to electricity. Whenconnected to a generator, the spinning of the shaft drives the generatorwhich produces electricity.

Wind power has the advantage of being a free, renewable energy source.It also has the drawback of providing only intermittent energy. Windtowers take up a large amount of land and have recently been placedoffshore. Offshore locations solve noise and sighting problems, butraise other ecological issues with support structure requirements. Thereremains a need to efficiently harness wind power and easily store itsuch that it the energy generated can be used whenever needed, withminimal ecological impact.

The open oceans are the greatest source of wind energy. The use of windturbines on offshore towers, floating barges, and anchored hulls inorder to generate electricity are known and disclosed in U.S. PatentApplication Pub. No. US 2003/0168864 to Heronemus et al., PCTApplication Pub. No. WO 03/076800 to Heronemus. U.S. Pa. No. 5,512,787to Dederick, U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,844 to Lagerwey, and U.S. PatentApplication Pub. No. US 2001/0002757 to Honda et al. These systems arelimited in that they are not capable of self-storage of the energygenerated and/or transporting such energy themselves by means ofself-propulsion.

While some power generating crafts with self-propulsion are known in theart, they fail to achieve on-board storage, utilization and transport ofenergy in the form of hydrogen, for example as in U.S. Pat. No.4,159,427 to Wiedemann. U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US 2002/0182946A1 to Tanaka discloses a ship power plant which generates wind, inaddition to solar and thermal power, to obtain electric energy andpreferably store it in a battery. In one embodiment, Tanaka suggests theelectric energy may alternatively be converted to hydrogen gas orcompressed liquid hydrogen by electrolysis, and then the hydrogen and/oroxygen generated is sent to a land base by a transmitting systemconnecting sea base to land base. This system lacks the abilities ofself-storage and self-transport of the hydrogen energy generated.

There remains a need in the art for a vessel capable of storing and/orutilizing the energy generated by wind and further capable ofself-transport of the stored energy, without requiring transmission to aland base for use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a structure for capturing andconverting wind power comprising a vessel with a motor to propel thevessel to a location for capturing the wind, at least one machinedisposed on the vessel for receiving and converting wind power tomechanical energy and equipment in the vessel to convert it to hydrogenfuel, is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system for generatinghydrogen power comprising a vessel having a motor, at least one devicefor capturing at least one renewable energy source and converting it toelectric energy, and an electrolytic cell that electrolyzes water toconvert the electric energy to hydrogen for storage as a power source onthe vessel, is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, method of capturing andconverting and/or storing wind energy at sea comprising positioning avessel adapted to receive at least one wind machine for capturing wind,converting wind energy to storable energy, storing the converted energy,and powering the vessel with the stored, converted energy, is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of adapting vesselto create an offshore power generating system, comprising the steps ofsalvaging a vessel retired from its original use, equipping the vesselwith at least one device for capturing a renewable energy source andconverting it to a storable energy source and a storage device forstoring the converted energy source, positioning the vessel at a firstlocation at sea to capture the renewable energy source at the firstlocation, converting the renewable energy to a storable energy source,storing the converted energy, and repositioning the vessel to an atleast second location, is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is schematic view of the system for generating hydrogen power ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 schematic view of another aspect of the system for generatinghydrogen power of the present invention.

FIG. 3 perspective view of a vessel according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the vessel shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hydrogen is becoming a major component of the energy system of thefuture as the fuel for vehicles such as, cars, trucks and buses, andlocal electrical generating stations. The system and vessel forgenerating hydrogen power according to the present invention provides arenewable, “free” source of energy that is consumed without combustionor pollution.

The term vessel as used herein refers to a craft designed to navigate onwater. Vessels described herein are preferably large water craft thatmay be anchored at sea as well capable of navigation through waters andinto ports by means of propulsion, such as motors. The term “motor” asused herein refers to a device that uses any form of energy to impartmotion. More preferably, vessels described herein are existing surpluscargo ships which may travel by and/or be anchored at sea. As there is asurplus of offshore cargo ships which are no longer used or needed fortheir purpose as originally built, they may easily be equipped withturbines and other components according to the present invention. Thesevessels are already equipped with means of propulsion, such as motors orengines to drive propellers, thrusters, and/or water jets typicallybuilt to run on traditional fuels, such as bunker fuel, diesel fuel, andin some modern applications, liquefied natural gas (LNG). These existingvessels may be adapted with equipment to allow for propulsion by use ofany desired engine or motor using any desired energy source or fuel,including that captured, converted, and stored by the vessel itself,specifically, a renewable energy such a wind power. The term propulsionas used herein refers generally to and includes the positioning, moving,driving, navigation, motorization, and/or directing of the vessel atsea.

The term wind power system as used herein refers to any system or deviceto convert wind energy into electrical power. Wind machines, such asturbines and towers, disposed on offshore vessels are capable ofcapturing the most reliable winds at and near the sea level. The termwind machine as used herein refers to any device with a mechanism forconverting the movement of air into a mechanical motion which may thenbe converted by a generator into electrical power. Wind machines includeturbines, where the turbine is perpendicular to the wind and mounted ona tower. Turbines may have a horizontal-axis, where the rotor faces thewind and typically two or three blades catch the wind and spin. Theblades are connected to a drive shaft that turns an electric generatorto produce electricity. Turbines may have a vertical-axis which canaccept wind from any direction, such as the Darrieus wind turbine whichconsists of several aerofoils vertically mounted on a rotating shaft orframework in an eggbeater shape.

Wind machines may include systems that do not use blades, such as theWind Amplified Rotor Platform (WARP) which has several stacked modulesalong a tower, each module with a pair of small, high capacity turbinesmounted to its concave channel surfaces which channel wind toward theturbines, amplifying wind speeds. The present invention is not limitedto use of any type of wind machine and use of any of these terms usedthroughout the application is not done so to be limiting.

Referring to FIG. 1, vessel is shown generally at 10 including aplurality of wind machines, shown here as turbines 12 of varying heightsmounted on the vessel 10. Blades 13 of the turbines 12 capture wind,which turns the shafts 14 of the turbines 12 and which in turn drives agenerator 16 to produce electricity.

As shown in FIG. 1, vessel 10 may be positioned so that the turbines 12are situated into the wind with fore and aft anchoring 30, 32 to capturethe most wind. In this anchor position, turbines may be of equal heightswithout interfering with one another in capturing the wind. It ispreferable to vary the heights of tower provides an advantage when thevessel is otherwise positioned, for instance, into the wind, as shown inFIG. 3. In this aspect of the present invention, varying the heights ofturbines 46 may allow for use of one anchor 48 positioned windward ateither bow 42 or stern 44, shown in FIG. 3 at bow 42, withoutinterfering with one another in capturing wind.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, an anchor or anchors maynot used, but rather, the vessel hovers in place by use of at least onethruster 49 placed at bow 42 (as shown in FIG. 3) or stern 44, or atboth and used in tandem, and may quickly change position as needed.Thrusters 49 allow for maneuvering of the vessel, particularly sidewaysmaneuvering. This is particularly advantageous as it allows ease ofadjustment of the position of the vessel at any given time to bestcapture the wind. Without use an anchor, the vessel may hover and beconstantly changing positions as desired by use of at least onethruster. Additionally, use of a global positioning system (GPS) todetect wind direction would allow vessel to employ the thrusters andmove accordingly when wind direction changes. In addition to capturingmore wind, it is an advantage that the vessel may easily and quickly getaway from bad weather as no anchor is employed. A further advantage isthat it removes any load on the bottom of the sea and negativelyimpacting the environment that anchoring typically may cause.

According to the present invention, vessel 10 is positioned so that windmachines, such as turbines 12 as shown in FIG. 1, capture wind. In oneaspect of the present invention, the mechanical energy produced by theturbine may then be used or stored as a power source in the vessel. Themechanical energy may be stored, for example, by high-speed gyroscopicflywheel storage. The mechanical energy may be used directly as powersource on the vessel, for instance, to drive high pressure pump to makefresh water by osmosis. The mechanical energy may be used to providepropulsion to the vessel, for instance to drive or power the bowthrusters 49 or the motor 29.

In another aspect of the present invention, in addition, or alternativeto being used directly, the mechanical energy produced from the turbinesis converted to another form of energy. The turbines 12 drive generator16 to produce electricity. Electricity produced may be used directlyand/or stored in electrical storage 28 as a power source for the vessel.For instance, the electrical energy may be used to provide propulsion tothe vessel, for instance to drive or power the bow thrusters 49 or themotor 29.

In another aspect of the present invention, the electrical energygenerated is converted to another energy form, namely hydrogen. Anelectrolyzer or electrolytic cell 18 uses the electricity generated bywind energy to convert water into oxygen and hydrogen using aproton-exchange membrane. (Water H₂O is dissociated into the diatomicmolecules of hydrogen H₂ and oxygen O₂.) A fresh water source isrequired for the electrolytic cell 18 to generate hydrogen. The term“fresh water” as used herein means water of any level of salinity whichis suitable for use by the electrolytic cell. As shown in FIG. 4, freshwater is preferably obtained from rainwater which is collected by awater collection system provided on the vessel 40, which may includestorm drains 62 on the deck 68 of the vessel 40 to collect rain waterand direct it into storage 20 water within the hull 64 of the vessel 40.In another aspect of the present invention, fresh water may be deliveredto water storage 20 by a secondary vessel 50, shown in FIG. 2. In yetanother aspect of the present invention, a desalination system 22installed on the vessel 10 may convert surrounding ocean water to freshwater, which then may be used to provide fresh water need for thehydrogen-generating electrolytic process.

In one aspect of the present invention, the hydrogen generated iscontained in hydrogen storage 24 on the vessel 10. The storage andsubsequent conversion of hydrogen to electrical energy allows for energygenerated from the wind to be available for use as needed. From storedhydrogen, electrical power is created by use of a hydrogen fuel cell.The term fuel cell as used herein refers to a device that performs thereverse process of an electrolyzer. The fuel cell combines storedhydrogen with oxygen to produce electricity and water, ultimatelyconverting the stored hydrogen into usable energy. The only by-productis water, and no pollution results. Alternatively, dual function fuelcells which also function in reverse as an electrolyzer may be employedin the present invention. These dual function fuel cells known as areversible or unitized regenerative fuel cell are able to not onlyconvert stored hydrogen into usable energy by combining it with oxygen,but also to turn electricity into stored hydrogen and oxygen.

In one aspect of the present invention, fuel cell 26 may be integratedinto the vessel 10 so that the wind power-generated hydrogen in storage24 on the vessel may be later utilized to provide an energy source onthe vessel. Energy may be consumed upon the vessel, for instance, as theauxiliary power on the vessel 10 or for propulsion of the vessel 10itself. Vessel 10 may include electrical storage 28 to maintain a supplyof electricity (produced by fuel cell) available for use on demand.

In another aspect of the present invention, vessel 10 may serveadditionally to transport stored hydrogen 24 to land for delivery tofacilities which are in need of a hydrogen fuel source. For instance,gas stations that provide hydrogen fuel to fuel cell cars. Vessel 10 maytransport stored hydrogen to existing hydrogen storage facilities onland. These facilities would be able to sore hydrogen as an energycourse and additionally by use of a fuel cell may convert the storedhydrogen to generate power.

In another aspect of the present invention, the vessel-mounted windpower system may be used to create electricity directly into a grid ofexisting electrical power lines. In yet another aspect of the presentinvention, the vessel-mounted wind system may be used to createelectricity for an electrolytic cell located off the vessel to convertto hydrogen and water.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, solar panels 66 may be placed uponvessel 40 to capture sun and serve as a secondary means of generatingrenewable energy which may be stored, transported or used on the vesselas a power source.

The present invention eliminates the need for additional systems totransport hydrogen fuel. Stored hydrogen 24 may be easily transported bythe vessel itself, without the need for building pipelines to transporthydrogen (gas) to the land, or the need for cooling hydrogen to liquefyit and then contain it for transfer to barges or other vessels whichwould transport it to harbor.

In another aspect of the present invention, the system for generatinghydrogen power may further include secondary structures, such as ships,as shown in FIG. 2. Secondary ships 50 may carry supplies 52 needed bythe primary vessel for its operation and use by passengers thereonand/or fresh water 54 to the primary vessel. Additionally, secondaryships 50 may be equipped for hydrogen storage 56 and have fuel cells 58to use stored hydrogen 56 as an auxiliary power source. Stored hydrogengenerated by the primary vessel may be transferred to the hydrogenstorage 56 of the secondary ship 50 for its immediate use, for instance,for auxiliary power or for powering a motor for propulsion of vessel,and may include an electrical storage 50 for the electricity generatedby fuel cell 58. Stored hydrogen generated by the primary vessel may betransferred to the hydrogen storage 56 of the secondary ship 50 for itsstorage and transport elsewhere where a hydrogen fuel is needed as apower source.

Use of fuel cell technology and stored hydrogen creates usable energyfrom the wind without combustion of fuel and resulting pollution.Hydrogen fuel is an extremely efficient power source. Further, surpluswind energy may be stored (as hydrogen) to be used whenever needed,without having to rely upon the intermittent nature of the wind togenerate energy.

The use of wind energy to generate hydrogen fuel is highly advantageous.Placement of a wind power system on vessels has a low cost base,especially in the offshore application where vessels such as cargo shipsor oil tankers are surplus. These vessels may no longer be able toperform the role for which they were originally designed and built, yetdifficult to remove from water and dispose of them. Adapting them toprovide the vessels according to the present invention is an efficientuse of surplus and retired ships. Additionally, adapting vesselaccording to the present invention to capture wind energy is simpler,more efficient and environmentally-sound than the construction ofundersea support bases of offshore wind farms. There is no constructionor installation of pipelines or cables and no resulting ecologicalimpact on the sea bed or coral reef. These vessels may be removed fromsight of shore residents and tourists. Further, in their operation,these vessels have the advantage of being capable of being moved aboutthe sea to capture stronger or more reliable winds, or to escape extremeweather or storms. Further, a vessel according to the present inventionhas the advantage over traditional windfarms of being a portable energystation, as they may be navigated where needed at a desired location ofuse, for instance, at a research station or a naval base, and anchoredto provide an energy source at that location.

A vessel according to the present invention that converts a renewableenergy source, such as wind, to hydrogen fuel for storage, use and/ortransport provides many advantages. Stored hydrogen may be used foroperation of the vessel itself or by secondary structures, such as shipsequipped with fuel cells which may interact with the main vessel or anocean research station that sends out smaller ships to monitorconditions and factors in its research activity. A vessel according tothe present invention may be part of ocean research activity and serveas a platform for ocean and atmosphere science studies, fueling theactivities thereon. A vessel with a wind power system may serve as aliving platform for scientists and others stationed on vessels forvarious purposes.

Vessels equipped with wind power systems may also serve as aneducational and eco-tourist sites. Education about ocean and atmosphere,recreational scuba dive training, reef snorkeling, small boat activity,fishing, and aquaculture activities could be conducted from the vesselin an environmentally and ecologically-friendly manner using therenewable energy source of the wind.

In other aspects of the present invention, the power source may be othernatural, renewable sources, such as solar, geothermal and wave generatedenergy sources. For instance, the hull of the vessel may be converted toa roller wave containment in order to capture wave action energy todrive air turbines.

The above description is for the purpose of teaching the person ofordinary skill in the art how to practice the present invention, and itis not intended to detail all those obvious modifications and variationsof it which will become apparent to the skilled worker upon reading thedescription. It is intended, however, that all such obviousmodifications and variations be included within the scope of the presentinvention, which is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A structure for capturing and converting windpower, comprising: a vessel; a motor to propel the vessel to at leastone location for capturing wind power; at least one wind machine mountedon the vessel for receiving wind and converting it to mechanical energy;and equipment in the vessel to convert the mechanical energy to hydrogenfuel.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the mechanical energy is usedas a power source on the vessel.
 3. The structure of claim 2, furthercomprising thrusters powered by the mechanical energy to position thevessel to capture the wind.
 4. The structure of claim 1, furthercomprising a generator to convert the mechanical energy to electricalenergy.
 5. The structure of claim 4, wherein the electrical energy isstored on the vessel.
 6. The structure of claim 4, wherein theelectrical energy is used as a power source on the vessel.
 7. Thestructure of claim 4, wherein the motor is powered by the electricalenergy to propel the vessel.
 8. The structure of claim 3, furthercomprising bow thrusters powered by the electrical energy to positionthe vessel to capture the wind.
 9. The structure of claim 4, furthercomprising an electrolytic cell, a water source, and a hydrogen storagedevice, wherein the electrolytic cell uses the electrical energy toelectrolyze water from the water source to produce hydrogen fuel andoxygen, the hydrogen fuel stored in the hydrogen storage device.
 10. Thestructure of claim 9, further comprising a fuel cell to utilize thehydrogen fuel to produce electrical power for use by the vessel andwater.
 11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the electrical power isused by the motor to propel the vessel.
 12. The structure of claim 10,further comprising thrusters powered by the electrical energy toposition the vessel to capture the wind.
 13. The structure of claim 12,wherein the vessel is navigated to desired locations to transport thestored hydrogen to the desired locations.
 14. The structure of claim 9,further comprising a water collection system to collect rainwater toserve as the water source for the electrolytic cell.
 15. The structureof claim 14, wherein the water collection system includes storm drainsdisposed on the deck of the vessel to collect rain water.
 16. Thestructure of claim 9, wherein the water source is supplied to the vesselby a secondary supply ship.
 17. The structure of claim 9, furthercomprising a desalination system to desalinate surrounding seawater foruse as the water source for use by the electrolytic cell.
 18. Thestructure of claim 1, further comprising solar panels disposed on thedeck of the vessel to capture sun and convert it to a storable power onthe vessel.
 19. A method of capturing, converting and/or storing windenergy at sea, comprising: positioning a vessel adapted to receive atleast one wind machine at a first location at sea, the at least one windmachine capturing the wind at the first location; converting wind energyto a storable energy source; storing the converted energy; and poweringthe vessel with the stored, converted energy to propel it to at least asecond location.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least asecond location is second position at sea to capture further wind. 21.The method of claim 19, further comprising using the stored, convertedenergy for auxiliary power on the vessel.
 22. The method of claim 20,wherein the at least second location is a position at port to transferthe stored energy off the vessel for use onshore.
 23. The method ofclaim 19, wherein wind energy is converted to hydrogen fuel on thevessel.